Continue the journey…
Five works to explore after Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor
Five years after Felix Mendelssohn’s First Piano Trio came
No. 2. Again, the journey takes us from nervy minor to brightly confident major over four movements, in this instance famously rounded off by the exuberant quotation of the chorale melody ‘Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ’. (Trio Wanderer Harmonia Mundi HMC901961)
A tinge of regret accompanies listening to Fanny Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor, in which two stormy, scurrying outer movements frame a more aquiescent Andante espressivo and brief but lovely Lied. At the time of its first performance in April 1847, the composer had just started to enjoy the sense of self-confidence and freedom of publishing her own works but, alas, had just one month left before succumbing to a stroke at 41. (Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective Chandos CHAN 20256) That death robbed Clara Schumann of the intended dedicatee of her elegant Piano Trio in G minor, premiered earlier that same year. Though preeminent as a pianist herself, Schumann here divides the workload equally between all three instruments, each of which enjoys its
melodic moment in the sun. The work inspired and influenced her husband Robert, who then started work on the first of his own three piano trios. (Boulanger Trio Ars Production ARS38048)
The mutual admiration between Felix Mendelssohn and violinist and composer Louis Spohr extended to dedicating works to each other. Spohr, the older by 25 years, was a slow starter when it came to piano trios, having turned 57 when he penned his First (Op. 119) in 1841. A largely amiable work, though technically demanding in its own twisting, turning way, it clearly gave the German the bug, as four further piano trios would soon follow. (Hartley Piano Trio Naxos 8.553206)
And what of Ferdinand Hiller, whose sage advice made such a mark on
Felix M’s First Piano Trio? Much of his own chamber music has fallen by the wayside, though his characterful Piano Trio No. 6 of 1879 is well worth a listen. Also known as his Serenade No. 2, the work’s five movements include a delightfully sprightly opening Vorspiel (Prelude) followed by quite the friskiest
March you’re ever likely to encounter. (Rautio Piano Trio Resonus Classics RES10203)
Spohr’s Trio is technically demanding in its own twisting, turning way